STRATHCONA

Strathcona is Vancouver's oldest residential neighbourhood, established around the railway terminus in the 1880s. It started as a working class neighbourhood with residents from various ethnic backgrounds. In the 1950s, Strathcona was the target of an urban renewal program, which would have seen the demolition of its character houses in favour of slab apartment blocks. Although 15 blocks of the neighbourhood were razed, community opposition eventually halted the demolition.

Today, Strathcona remains a largely working class neighbourhood. However, 1,200 sf houses have been known to be listed for over $900,000. The good new is that the neighbourhood has kept many of its old houses, and with them its sense of history and community.